The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-02
SPIES AND MISS VANZANDT.
Statement that They Have Been Married by
Proxy. Spies'S Brother Acting as Groom.

| CHICAGO, Feb. 1.-The announcement is made
this evening that August Spies and Miss Nina
Vanzandt have been married by proxy, the
groom being represented by his brother A
suburban justice of the peace officated. When
Sheriff Matson, about two weeks ago, issued the
order to the officials Of the county Jail not to ad
NIT Miss Vanzandt to see Spies, it was thought
that the matter was settled. but it now appears
that neither OF the couple abandoned their pur-
pose The law about marrying by letter and
marriages by proxy was looked up, but nothing
was found except in regard to marriage by
proxy. This was finally decided upon, and
Justice Enelehardt. in the town of Jefferson,
the last months of the past year as denounc;pe .
tae verdict OF the Anarchist trial in public
speeches, was consulted. He gave it as his opin-
ION that marriage by proxy would be binding
IA "a law II the proxy was made out in due legal
form He was commissioned to draw up form
OF proxy, and spent considerable time in making
1t conform to what he thought was the law in the
case The document was not got ready un-
III last Friday. Early on Saturday Miss
Vanzandt and Gretchen Spies, the sister of
August went out to Jefferson and called on
Justice Englehardt to get the proxy. and
having secured the document, went direct
70 the county jail with it. They met the wife of
Spies's brother. Ferdinand, and Mrs Wend-
land Miss Vanzandts three companions wit
messed the signature of Spies to the document
by which he gave full authority to his brother.
Henry W. Spies, to represent him at the cere-
mony. Mrs. Ferdinand Spies and Miss Gretchen
Spies signed the paper to witness August Spies's
signature when the whole party, except Spies
himself, went with Ferdinand Spies to Justice
Engiehardts otsce, on Milwaukee avenue in the
town of Jefferson They were reinforced on the
way by Miss Vanzandts parents and Henry
and Chris Spies, brothers of August The iour-
ney to Justice Englehardts office was made on
foot 1t was after o'clock, Saturday night, by
this time The justice again examined his law
books and then the ceremony was performed
Henry Spies answered to the name of August
Vincent Theodore Spies, and under this name
was married to Miss Vanzandt. The bride and
her parents went from the Office of the instce to
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Ferdinand Spies not
far distant, and remained there over night. The
license has not yet been returned to the county
clerk e as required by law 1t was issued only
three weeks ago, however and the thirty days
allowed for its return have not vet expired Just
ice Engelhardt is authority for the statement
that the marriage was performed.
Spies declines to speak of the ceremony, and
Miss Vanzandt refuses to be interviewed or even
to be seen. Her father also declines to talk, but
does not deny the fact of the ceremony
SherlH Matson expressed great surprise, and
then promptly said: u would not consider
farce like that marriage unless pronounced
SO by competent legal authority The alleged
ceremony will not, in my judgment change the
relations OF the parties. If this action was taken
Tor the purpose OF compellinR me to consent to
the visits of Miss Vapzandt to the Jail, it is a
mistaken course, and will not avail. There is
no obligation, even If she was a lawful wife, to
let her visit Spies, who is my prisoner. Allow
ing wives to visit their imprisoned husbands is
merely matter of courtesy
Nearly all OF the lawyers of the city are
OF the belief that marriage by proxy is illegal
Leonard SWEET senior counsel for Spies and his
fellow Anarchists, is decidedly of that opinion.
Nh. Zesler, another of the Anarchist counsel.
takes the opposite view, and thinks the ceremony
binding.